Expeditions Colombia Nature and Wildlife Safari Tour

Private Tour

From $0 - 11 days

Price based on two people sharing

Explore the unique diversity of natural landscapes of Colombia!

If you're looking for the perfect travel to Colombia experience, this 11-day adventure combines spectacular wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic cultural encounters. Designed for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and wildlife enthusiasts, this journey takes you from the misty Andes to the endless savannahs of Los Llanos and the turquoise waters of Colombia's Caribbean coast.

Your adventure begins in Bogotá, where you'll explore Colombia's vibrant capital and discover iconic landmarks such as the fascinating Gold Museum and the historic Chorro de Quevedo. Venture into Chingaza National Natural Park to discover the unique páramo ecosystem and its iconic frailejones, then continue to Los Llanos, one of South America's premier safari destinations, where you'll spot capybaras, giant anteaters, caimans, monkeys, and hundreds of bird species while enjoying unforgettable sunrises and sunsets across the savannah.

Relax in the lush surroundings of Tayrona National Natural Park, where tropical rainforest meets pristine Caribbean beaches, before ending your journey in the colorful colonial city of Cartagena. Wander through its charming streets, discover its rich history, and enjoy an authentic fishing experience with local communities, creating the perfect ending to an unforgettable Colombian adventure.

EXPERIENCE TYPE Eco-tourism, Hiking, Wildlife, Culture & Beach

Tour Highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Essential Information

Tour Highlights

Bogota

Explore the beating heart of Colombia's capital city

Bogotá is the capital of Colombia. Its name comes from the word "Bacatá", which in the Muiscas's language means "Lady of the Andes," although some say that the real meaning is "field outside of the tillage," and others say this was the recreation city for the Zipa.

It is one of South America's highest cities above sea level, with an altitude of 2,640 meters. Bogota's famous colonial neighbourhood of La Candelaria contains most of the historic sites, museums, ancient churches and central government buildings. Practically every street corner in La Candelaria marks some important event in Colombian history, and most buildings retain their colonial architecture and charm.

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Explore Chingaza Natural Park

Chingaza National Natural Park cover 190,000 acres of paramo, Andean forests and East Andean foothill forests. The habitat of Chingaza consists of cloud forest, high elevation glacial lakes and paramo (Andean high altitude) covered by a vast expanse of Frailejones (Espeletia), a genus of rare and quite interesting succulent subshrub found only in the paramo areas of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. You will also find a great variety native mammals and birds, including Colombia’s national bird, the majestic Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus).

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Eastern Region of Colombia

See amazing landscapes and wildlife

This beautiful natural region located to the east of the Andes, also called “Los Llanos”, is crossed by many rivers and lakes, turning this vast plain into a spectacular mix of landscapes, flora and fauna. It is also recognized by its extensive hatos and ranches, where you can stay overnight and enjoy the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets you have ever seen.

You will have the chance to see hundreds of capybaras, white-tailed deer, spectacled caimans, different species of anteaters, monkeys, tortoises and interesting birdlife. It is the most appealing destination for curious travellers wanting to explore new sceneries and environments.

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Santa Marta

Explore the spectacular Tayrona Natural Park

Tayrona National Natural Park is one of the most iconic and popular places to visit on any trip to Colombia. The park is named after the Tayrona civilization and remains a sacred space for several indigenous groups in the region. Tayrona is, first-and-foremost, a national park and that’s down to the remarkable biodiversity of flora and fauna within its boundaries.

This spectacular park surrounded by steep hillsides of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world's highest coastal mountain range, is home to some of the most stunning stretches of sand in South America and is the perfect place to enjoy some sunbathing and swimming.

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Cartagena

Get lost in the romantic atmosphere of Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias is one of Latin America's most fascinating, romantic, and beautiful colonial cities. Located on the Caribbean coast, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of history, colourful streets and great people, making it a fairy tale city of romance.

Cartagena is a city of contrast between the old town, the urban area, the beach and the local Afro-Colombian communities that usually live in the coastal zone and have fishing traditions in the sea and in the wetlands that connect sea life with the continental ecosystems. These communities love dancing, playing the drums, eating seafood and playing football on the beach.

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Learn to fish in La Boquilla

La Boquilla is a small fishing village located about 7 km north of Cartagena. The town sits on the northern tip of a narrow peninsula, bordered by the sea on one side and the Ciénaga de Tesca on the other. We will canoe through a mangrove forest and learn about the history and culture of this fishing town while mastering local fishing techniques using a net and crab traps.

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Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

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DAY 1 Join tour in Bogota

Arrive at any time. We will pick you up at the airport and drive you to your hotel in Bogota. Depending on the traffic, the drive from the airport takes around 30-45 minutes.

At the hotel, we will check again your itinerary to make sure everything is clear, help you with anything you may need and give you some practical information about Bogota and Colombia. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may have some time to start exploring the city on your own or just to relax.

Bogotá is located at an altitude of 2,600 metres, so we recommend to take it easy during the first couple of days.

Note: Hotel check in after 3 pm

Overnight: Bogota
Meal Plan: None

DAY 2 Botanical garden and historic tour in Bogota

To start our nature and wildlife tour in Colombia, we will visit the Bogotá Botanical Garden, officially known as the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden. This 20-hectare urban oasis in Bogota showcases the rich biodiversity of Colombia's ecosystems, including Andean forests, paramos, and tropical rainforests. We will explore the curated collections of native plants, including orchids, palms, and medicinal herbs. The garden also features a stunning butterfly house, a waterfall, and thematic gardens dedicated to different ecological regions.

Then, we will visit some of the most iconic places in Bogota's historic centre. We will glimpse the diversity of architectural styles on display in the historic neighbourhood of La Candelaria, admire the world's largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold at the Gold Museum, and check the artistic work of Fernando Botero, Colombia's most famous painter and sculptor, at the Museo Botero. At the end of the tour, we will go to the hotel.

Note: The Botanical Garden and Gold Museum are closed on Mondays, and Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays

Overnight: Bogota
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3 Hiking at Chingaza Natural Park

Today we take a full day excursion to the spectacular Chingaza National Park near Bogota. One of the biggest natural reserves in Colombia with a great diversity of fauna and breath-taking views. The park is located 1.5 hours driving from Bogota.

The habitat of Chingaza consists of cloud forest, high elevation glacial lakes and paramo (Andean high altitude) covered by a vast expanse of Frailejones (Espeletia), a genus of rare and quite interesting succulent subshrub found only in the paramo areas of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. A network of hiking trails will enable us to see a variety of Chingaza's stunning landscapes, flora and fauna. The park has around 40 natural glacial lakes, the largest of which is Lake Chingaza, which lies at 3,250 metres above sea level.

Nearly 186 species of birds have been registered in this natural park including the Bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii), Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Oroetus isidori) and Colombia’s national bird, the majestic Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus). Chingaza Natural Park is also home to a handful of native mammals like deer, Andean bears, and small felines that you might be able to see.

We will spend around 3 hours hiking at the park to visit some of the main lakes. We will go to an altitude of around 3,300 metres above the sea level. At the end of the tour, we will take you back to the hotel.

Overnight: Bogota
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4 Travel to Los Llanos (Yopal). Horse-back riding

Early in the morning, we will pick you up at the hotel to transfer you to the airport in Bogota for your flight to Yopal in the Eastern Region of Colombia, also called Los LLanos. On arrival in Yopal, we will go to San Luis de Palenque. It will take approximately 2 hours on paved roads. We will spend the next two days at Hato Matepalma and Hato Altamira, two large haciendas that are part of the Nature Reserve El Encanto de Guanapalo.

Upon arrival at the natural reserve, we will have lunch and relax for a while. Then, we'll get an introduction to the farm and some lasso practice before gearing up our horses for a ride into the savannah. By horse, we'll cross small rivers, waterholes, lush savannas, palm and gallery forests, keeping our eyes peeled for diverse birdlife and wildlife, including different species of anteaters, monkeys, tortoises, caimans and exotic birds.

At the nature reserve, you will have the chance to see hundreds of capybaras, white-tailed deer, spectacled caimans, tortoises and exciting birdlife, including Orinoco geese and the great horned owl – Colombia's largest owl.

At the end of the day, we will go to one of the haciendas where you will spend the night.

Overnight: Los Llanos
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 Wildlife Safari

In the morning, we will go for a walk and a canoe tour to observe families of capybaras, hoatzins, and various species of kingfishers. We will come back to the hacienda for lunch and relax a little bit before the safari in the afternoon.

In the afternoon, we will do a safari in a 4x4 vehicle to get close to an astonishing amount of wildlife. With some luck, we may see anteaters, pumas, armadillos or anacondas. The probability of seeing anacondas is higher during the dry season, which is in February and March. We will see hundreds of capybaras, deer, spectacled caimans, tortoises and exciting birdlife.

At the end of the afternoon safari, we will sit down to relax and have a drink while enjoying the spectacular sunset of this region of Colombia. After, recharging batteries we will continue our expedition to see nocturnal wildlife.

Overnight: Los Llanos
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 Travel to Santa Marta

In the morning, you will return to Yopal for your flight to Santa Marta. As there are no direct flights available, you will connect through Bogotá before continuing to the Colombian Caribbean coast.

Upon arrival at Santa Marta Airport, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel near Tayrona National Natural Park.

Founded in 1525, Santa Marta is the oldest surviving city in Colombia and a fascinating destination where colonial history meets spectacular natural landscapes. It serves as the gateway to Tayrona National Natural Park, one of the country's most treasured protected areas. Renowned for its pristine Caribbean beaches, lush tropical rainforest, ancient archaeological sites, and extraordinary biodiversity, Tayrona offers an unforgettable blend of nature and culture. With its breathtaking scenery and deep connection to the ancestral lands of the Indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, it is considered one of Colombia's most iconic destinations.

Overnight: Santa Marta - Hotel close to Tayrona Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7 Day trip Tayrona Natural Park

Today, we will spend the day at Tayrona National Natural Park, where we will see some of Colombia's most beautiful beaches.

Around 8:30 am, we will start the trip to Tayrona Park, which will take only 15 minutes from your hotel to the main entrance of the park (El Zaino entrance). We will drive 10 min more from the entrance to the Cañaveral sector and from there, we will walk for about 1 hour across the forest until reaching the Arrecifes sector, where you will get great panoramic views of the park. Then, we will walk for 30 min more to reach the beaches Arenillas, La Piscina and El Cabo San Juan. You will have plenty of time to swim and relax on the beach. There are several restaurants and bars in the park where you can stop for lunch in the shade, relax, and admire the spectacular surroundings.

Around 3:30pm, we will start the journey back to the main entrance.

Note: Tayrona Park is usually closed from Feb 1st to 15th, Jun 1st to 15th and Oct 19th to Nov 2nd.

Overnight: Santa Marta - Hotel close to Tayrona Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast

DAY 8 At leisure

You will have the day to relax and enjoy the spectacular natural landscape of this region of Colombia.

Overnight: Santa Marta - Hotel close to Tayrona Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast

DAY 9 Travel to Cartagena & Walking tour

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and begin our journey to Cartagena, a scenic drive of approximately 4.5 hours. Nestled on Colombia's Caribbean coast, Cartagena de Indias is a captivating city where centuries of history blend seamlessly with a vibrant cultural atmosphere.

Upon arrival, you'll have time to check in at your hotel, relax after the journey, and enjoy lunch at your leisure.

In the afternoon, we will meet again for a guided walking tour of Cartagena's most iconic landmarks. Begin with the impressive Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the largest and strongest fortress ever built by the Spanish in the Americas, renowned for its ingenious military design and its role in defending the city during the British siege of 1741. Continue into the enchanting Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada), where you'll stroll through cobblestone streets lined with colorful colonial buildings, charming plazas, churches, and flower-filled balconies. As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll discover the rich history, remarkable architecture, and vibrant culture that make Cartagena one of Latin America's most captivating destinations.

Overnight: Cartagena
Meal Plan: Breakfast

DAY 10 Fishing Tour in La Boquilla Village - Cartagena

We will pick you up in the morning from your hotel and take you to La Boquilla, located 7 km north of Cartagena. La Boquilla is a traditional fishing village known for its Afro-Colombian heritage .It sits on the northern tip of a narrow peninsula, bordered by the sea on one side and the Ciénaga de Tesca on the other.

At La Boquilla, we will take a trip in a wooden canoe through the mangrove forest in La Cienga de Tesca. During this trip, you will see some native and migratory birds and learn about the flora and other fauna found in this ecosystem. You will learn local fishing techniques like how to cast a net and set crab traps.

After learning to fish in the mangrove forest, we will enjoy a traditional lunch. This is where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the locals’ day-to-day lives, their fishing tools and their culture. The lunch will be a delicious meal consisting of seafood, which is popular along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. At the end of the tour, we will drop you back off at your hotel in Cartagena.

Overnight: Cartagena
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch